Debate Team Continues Streak

The University of West Georgia Debate Team completed its 2007-08 season in the top 10 in the country, making the team nationally ranked for its 36th consecutive year.

(L-R, front row) University of West Georgia Debate Team members Jadon Marianetti, Zak Schaller, Sarah Holbrook, Dr. Michael Hester, assistant dean of the Honors College; (l-r, back row) Geoff Lundeen and Jim Schultz earned standings in the top ten of the nation at the National Debate Tournament.

At the Cross-Examination Debate Association National Championship held at Wichita State University, the UWG Debate Team of Geoff Lundeen of Grand Rapids, MI, and Jim Schultz of Jupiter, FL, tied for fifth place out of 180 teams competing from across the U.S.

Compiling a 6 – 2 record in the preliminary rounds, Lundeen and Schultz defeated many teams including teams from Baylor University, the University of Oklahoma, Stanford University and Emory University. Dr. Michael Hester, assistant dean of the Honors College and Debate Coach, said most people are not aware of the time and work needed to compete so successfully.

“We work very hard,” said Hester. “The administration and Student Activities provide UWG Debate with significant support. We feel our success at nationals comes with the territory.”

Out of 360 competitors, Lundeen was recognized as the sixth place individual speaker, while Schultz was awarded tenth place as an individual.

The team of Jadon Marianetti of Mountainview, CA and Zak Schaller of Carrollton compiled a record of 5 – 3 in the preliminary rounds, upsetting the higher – seeded team from the University of Pittsburg in the round of 64, before losing to the University of Wyoming in the round of 32.

At their National Debate Tournament held at California State University at Fullerton, the team of Lundeen and Schultz repeated their fifth place feat. Unlike other tournaments, a three-person panel judged each team. Both Lundeen and Schultz won their first six rounds, all on unanimous 3 – 0 decisions. They defeated teams from Dartmouth College, Harvard University and the University of Mary Washington. Overall, Lundeen finished sixth and Schultz finished fourteenth as individuals.